Perfect borders made easy

Here’s a pretty and practical way to display memos, reminders or photographs.

As a way to celebrate National Craft Month in March, we’re focusing on mixed media. To keep with this theme, here’s a project incorporating all sorts of materials and techniques – it’s a Mixed Media Magnetic Memo Board. It’s practical and cute and can be displayed anywhere in the house, office, or classroom.

To begin, spread a sheet of parchment paper on your work surface to protect it. Lay your chipboard on the parchment, and coat it generously with PVA, Mod Podge, or similar glue using a sponge brush. Lay a piece of linen on top of the glue-coated chipboard and smooth it out with your hands. Flatten any creases or bubbles. Apply a coat of glue on the fabric surface, smooth out again, and allow it to dry.

Once dry, flip it over, coat the backside of the chipboard, apply a second piece of linen to the back, smooth and coat with glue. Set aside to dry.

Use your Fuse Creativity System to cut out a frame, a bird and a few flowers from the sandwiched linen and chipboard.

Stamp a few flowers on each bird, frame or flower using the Asian-Inspired Clear Stamps and an embossing ink pad.

Dust the inked areas with embossing power. Tap the inked pieces to knock off any excess embossing powder. Heat the inked/powdered areas using an embossing gun. Be careful not to burn your fingers!

Once the pieces have cooled, color in the flower petals with gouache or watercolor paints and a small brush. Set aside to dry.

Stamp a few floral motifs in the corners of a metal tray. Dust the inked area with embossing powder, remove the excess powder and heat the inked areas with an embossing gun. If necessary, hold your tray with a hot pad to protect your fingers. The metal warms fast.

Use hot glue to attach magnets to the back of your frame, birds, and flowers.

Brush a thin layer of watered-down glue to the top and edges of the magnets to protect the linen.